Colombia vs DR Congo Prediction 24 June 2026
🔊 Was Congo’s opening round points haul just a fluke, or a true sign of their strength? One of the standout fixtures of the second round at the World Cup sees Colombia and DR Congo go head-to-head at Estadio Akron in Zapopan. Right now, the South American side are in pole position to top their group. While the African squad pulled off a shock by taking points off one of the tournament favorites, they’re still widely seen as a mid-tier team. Bookmakers are giving the nominal hosts five-to-one odds to win.
Head-to-Head
📊 These teams have never faced each other before.
Colombia Team Overview
🟡 The South American side have made remarkable strides in recent years. Currently, Néstor Lorenzo’s squad sit 13th in the FIFA World Rankings-only Brazil and Argentina are ranked higher among South American teams. Historically, Colombia have never truly dazzled at World Cups; their best finish remains a quarter-final run at the 2014 tournament. Back then, James Rodríguez hit peak form and made a name for himself on Brazilian soil. The current campaign also features the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder, and his experience could prove invaluable for Colombia this time around.
🔵 In their opening match of this World Cup, Colombia outclassed tournament debutants Uzbekistan with a 3-1 victory. Notably, this is the first time since that memorable 2014 tournament in Brazil that Colombia have kicked off a World Cup with a win-a campaign that still stands as their finest achievement on football’s biggest stage. Interestingly, in the group stage opener, Néstor Lorenzo mirrored Uzbekistan’s tactical setup, which left the newcomers struggling to adapt. The Argentine coach, who has been at the helm since 2022, boasts an impressive array of tactical options and continues to demonstrate his strategic acumen.
Match Results: Colombia
DR Congo Team Overview
🔵 In their opening match of this World Cup, DR Congo netted their first-ever goal at the tournament. Remarkably, it took 52 years from their World Cup debut in 1974 to finally get on the scoresheet. Only Bolivia endured a longer wait, having first played in 1930 but not scoring until 1994. This current “Leopards” squad is brimming with potential. The team’s talisman is Chancel Mbemba-more than just the captain, he also holds the national team’s all-time appearance record.
🔴 The draw against Portugal (1-1) was a landmark moment for Congolese football. Yoane Wissa etched his name into the record books by scoring DR Congo’s maiden World Cup goal-the Newcastle striker delivering a historic moment. What’s striking is that the “Leopards” didn’t shy away from Portugal’s overwhelming territorial dominance. Even conceding an early goal didn’t rattle the Africans; their composure and disciplined adherence to tactical instructions allowed them to level the score. It’s also worth noting how well Bakambu and Wissa complemented each other up front-Wissa, operating in a deeper role, consistently created space for the Betis striker to exploit.
Match Results: DR Congo
Latest news
Colombia
🎤 Colombia head coach Néstor Lorenzo spoke at the post-match press conference following their 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan: “We knew it would be a tough game. We controlled the first half, keeping play largely in their half. But later on, we dropped deeper. Uzbekistan played an extremely direct style, flooding our box with players and forcing us to defend. They constantly switched the ball out wide and then delivered it into the middle-pretty much throughout the entire match. That always puts pressure on a defense. Uzbekistan executed their tactics well and showed impressive physicality. That’s why we had to make substitutions to bring fresh legs onto the pitch. Still, in the first half, we could have built a bigger lead.”
❌ Colombia’s coaching staff will have a full-strength squad available for their next match-there are no injury concerns.
DR Congo
🎤 DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre shared his thoughts on the 1-1 draw with Portugal: “It was a very good game-it could have been even better, but we’re very pleased with both the result and getting on the scoresheet. This is just the first step; now our focus shifts to the upcoming matches. We’ll celebrate earning our first point and scoring our first goal at the World Cup. Then we’ll rest up and start preparing for what’s next. We played against one of the best teams in the world, so we’re satisfied with what we’ve accomplished. But if we want to stay in the tournament, we’ll need to pick up more points and start winning. We have tremendous spirit in this squad, and that’s exactly what it takes to get through tough moments.”
❌ DR Congo have no injury concerns-Sébastien Desabre has a full-strength squad at his disposal.
Probable Lineups
📃 Colombia expected XI: Vargas - Mojica, Lucumí, Sánchez, Muñoz - Arias, Lerma, Puerta - Díaz, Suárez, Rodríguez
📃 DR Congo expected XI: Mpasi-Nzau - Masuaku, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Wan-Bissaka - Kayembe, Moutoussamy, Mukau - Bakambu, Wissa
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
The clash between Colombia and DR Congo will be officiated by one of the most respected referees in the modern game, Italian Maurizio Mariani. Notably, he’s already taken charge of a match at this World Cup, showing just a single yellow card. It’s worth noting that in 7 of his last 10 matches, Mariani has handed out no more than three bookings. Furthermore, in eight of DR Congo’s previous fixtures, there have been a maximum of four yellow cards shown. Our editorial pick: under 3.5 yellow cards at odds of 1.46*.
⚽ Goals Prediction
The African side have built a reputation as one of the toughest teams to break down defensively. Even Portugal’s high-powered attack struggled to unlock the “Leopards” in open play. Over their last ten matches, DR Congo have conceded an average of just 0.3 goals per game. The trend continues-five of their last six games have seen no more than two goals scored in total. Our recommended bet: Colombia under 1.5 team goals at 1.95*.
🚩 Corners Prediction
Looking at the numbers over the past ten matches, Colombia have allowed an average of 3.4 corners per game, while DR Congo sit at 3.6. In five of the last six matches involving the South Americans, there have been no more than ten corners taken. The pattern is similar in DR Congo’s last eight games. Logically, our suggested pick is under 9.5 total corners at 1.58*.
🚀 Player Stats Bet
DR Congo are unlikely to stray far from their tactical blueprint-they remain compact defensively and cautious going forward. With Colombia’s attacking intent and a roster packed with top-tier talent, expect DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau to be kept busy throughout. We recommend considering Lionel Mpasi-Nzau over 3 saves at odds of 1.57*.
😱 High-Risk Bet
We anticipate a cagey affair in this matchup. After facing Portugal, DR Congo shouldn’t be fazed by Colombia’s attacking threats. For both teams, dropping points could prove far more damaging than failing to win outright. Current trends strongly suggest both sides are highly effective in defensive phases. The bold play here: under 1 total goal at 6.81*.
🎯 Safe Bet
Don’t expect a goal fest here. DR Congo’s defensive mindset is a major factor-this team knows that their best chance of making a statement at the tournament is through disciplined defending. Colombia are unlikely to go all-out attack in just their second group match either. We foresee a slow-paced contest with few chances. Editorial pick: under 3.5 total goals at 1.22*.
👀 If the Match Doesn’t Go to Script
This World Cup has already seen plenty of surprises and broken trends. DR Congo impressed in their opening group fixture, so it’s tough to predict how they’ll react if put under real pressure. Colombia certainly have the firepower to force the issue-if they do, this could turn into either an end-to-end shootout or a one-sided affair. In that scenario, our suggestion is over 2 total goals at 1.68*.
*Odds are approximate and may vary between bookmakers.
Editorial Prediction
Colombia have not only been handed a favourable group, but their fixture list has also played into their hands. Before facing Portugal, the South Americans first go up against one of the tournament’s clear underdogs. That said, DR Congo have already shown they can compete-and any complacency from Néstor Lorenzo’s side could prove costly. As mentioned earlier, our editorial team expects a low-scoring affair, where the nominal visitors might just seize their chance. We’re tipping a goalless draw-0-0 looks entirely plausible here. The key bet: DR Congo to win with a +1.5 handicap.
Will this prediction come true?
Betting Tips: Colombia - DR Congo
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